Work to resolve nature conservation disputes in Gulf of Bothnia is progressing in a constructive spirit

While decades of mistrust remain in the background, the work has reached a stage where local stakeholders feel genuinely involved in defining and resolving key issues and providing the knowledge base for solutions.

In the spring, Akordi drafted a proposal for a long-term solution to the dispute over nature conservation in the Kvarken. The proposal was a follow-up to the mapping work carried out by Akord a year ago. Work in the working group, which started in early autumn, has progressed in a good and constructive spirit.

The preparation of the legislation for the establishment of the Gulf of Bothnia nature reserve and the development of the co-management model are being carried out in two complementary working groups. In the group of local stakeholders developing the co-management model for the area, each topic has first been discussed in an accompanying discussion, the summary of which has served as a basis for the work of the working group responsible for preparing the legislation. The groups have also held joint meetings. A common knowledge base has been built up by consulting visiting experts on issues such as commercial fishing, hunting, land-use planning and the development of seabird stocks.

The legislative drafting team consists of representatives appointed by the municipalities in the region and the Ministry of the Environment and Metsähallitus. The working group is chaired by Jan Finne, Mayor of Vöyri. The working group is expected to finalise the draft act establishing the nature reserve by the end of February 2025.

“The willingness of the preparers at the Ministry of the Environment and Metsähallitus to listen to the views of local actors and the open support of the Regional Mayor of the Ostrobothnian Regional Council have contributed significantly to the process.”

Juha-Pekka Turunen, Senior Associate in Akordi

The group developing the co-management model includes representatives from a wide range of associations and interest groups in the region, as well as the Regional Council. The group will be chaired by the South Ostrobothnian Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. During the autumn, the group has also been supplemented by representatives of nature and bird organisations. The purpose of the group is to create a permanent structure for the preparation and monitoring of the management and use plan for the nature conservation area under preparation and to facilitate the implementation of nature management measures.

Juha-Pekka Turunen and Camilla Strandberg-Panelius from Akordi have supported the work of the groups by preparing agendas on the issues to be addressed and the related stakeholder perspectives. This has been based on previous mapping work and separate meetings with stakeholders. The meetings of the working groups have also been prepared by identifying stakeholder perspectives and issues to be considered, for example in relation to commercial fishing, hunting and game management in the region.